Claudio's Course Preview: Meribel DH World Cup 7

Aug 20, 2014
by Red Bull Bike  


There is a lot of excitement regarding the all-new UCI World Cup DH track here in Méribel, France. It's a combination of big rock and root sections and flat-out ski piste descending.

So what better way to calm everyone's nerves than to send a screaming Swiss down the track to provide his own, sketchy take on things?! Over to you, Claudio...

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152 Comments
  • 281 4
 One of the worst things about the season ending .. No more Claudio previews for a few months
  • 163 3
 Lets start a petition to make a southern hemisphere season! Australia, new Zealand, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, RSA just to name some...
  • 11 21
flag glenno (Aug 20, 2014 at 15:24) (Below Threshold)
 Bulldog ? Brannigan ? Blinky? Bryceland ?? Brosnan? Theres the podium right there ...in order ! Im not gunna be able to sleep until this race happens ! VERY EXCITE !!!!!!
Yeeeweeee May the man with the biggest balls win !
  • 5 12
flag metong (Aug 20, 2014 at 16:10) (Below Threshold)
 No pedalling involved!
  • 49 3
 go easy Claudio, don't you know that fear leads to anger and anger leads to hate, and hate leads to the dark side
  • 7 9
 @Jim-laden , while I'm sure that the riders would love extra races on the calendar I'm sure cramming two seasons into one year at the level they have to push themselves would burn them out real quick. Everyone needs some rest and relaxation and I'm sure that's even more so at the pro level, that shit has gotta be stressful.
  • 5 0
 @glenno - not beyond the realm of possibility, but you did leave out Sam Hill...somehow. He is all smiles about this track, which does not bode well for everybody else vying for the top-box.
  • 5 0
 Tragic moment. Claudio is awesome.
  • 11 1
 But when u think that Claudio goes "down hill" only on his gambler watch this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj5E1YGTfnA now you might now, that claudio fears nothing.. maybe of some slippery roots, but I don´t think Big Grin
  • 5 0
 @ku0B0 Thats brilliant! I only thought Claudio was nuts, no I KNOW he is nuts!!
  • 1 0
 Yesssssss but only a series
  • 1 0
 think Bulldog might be a bit too banged up to be on the top step?
  • 2 0
 @pininator Yes hard to leave out Sam Hill ~ He is a favourite for sure, I was just going for all the "B" names haha
@pancakeflatted tell me more about bulldog ??? banged up ??
  • 1 0
 @glenno I was just thinking that after MSA where he crashed a lot, including pretty freaking hard on that new off-camber turn that used to be a berm, he could be a bit worse for the wear at season end...but he was top 5 at Windham...so I should reassess my earlier comment...
  • 2 0
 @pancakeflatted Hes called BullDog for a reason haha hes fine mate just been talking to him, this track suits him like Sam Hill

Time will Tell !
  • 1 0
 the track looks awesome...shuld be a good one!
  • 1 0
 Last time they raced a track like this, Brook came out on top. He's been coming on strong over the last few rounds. Only 30 more hours!!
  • 1 0
 Claudio was awesome as a commentator too, threw in some pretty astute comments. Maybe Claudio, Warner, and Cunyngham would be a great combo
  • 130 2
 Now that's a DH course.
  • 16 1
 Wide tape job!
  • 8 0
 Yes!
  • 8 2
 Might just be the new schladming !
  • 35 0
 Gnargasm
  • 15 2
 It's like they didn't even make a track, just put some tape down the side of a mountain and called it a day. Not saying that's a bad thing, though; should be a great race!
  • 3 0
 I wish I could go so fast even when "I don't even know where I'm going"... Love that kind of tracks!
  • 97 2
 Sam Hill is going to destroy that track
  • 15 1
 yeah probably , could be a good one for Ratboy too
  • 28 3
 Don't forget Danny Hart, he has a real chance too with a course like this
  • 12 1
 with all the inside lines from Sam Wink
  • 8 1
 Fairclough will be loving this track!
  • 6 2
 Hill Troy Ratboy Top 3
  • 11 0
 This has Hill written all over it!!!!! CAN'T FKN WAIT!!!!!
  • 2 0
 Dont forget danny hart, he and sam are far superior in mud
  • 2 0
 Sam Hill!!!!! He commented on Instagram how awesome this track is \o/
  • 1 0
 Bruni could also be a cheeky one aswell! could maybe swap him out for troy, maybe!?
  • 93 1
 It makes me happy that people like Claudio are allowed out of their institutions from time to time, downhill is better for having him, like his commentary in Windham
  • 113 0
 HAHAHAHA, thanks for that!
  • 2 1
 Hi Cloudio Have you heard Robin Wallner s course preview at Pila . Its uncanny !!!!!
  • 7 0
 Hi Clowdio You're really good at talking. Once the downhilling fetuses surpass your times, please pick up commentating full time. Rob's shoulders are getting sore after carrying the weight of being the only good MTB commentator. We... MTBING needs your angelic voice heard the world over.
  • 2 0
 Where do we sign up to vote Claudio for full time commentator/bike event host?! I'm in! ....Claudio's pov previews are like a song that gets stuck in your head, a good song...it's all I can hear when I watch racer pov's after the races. .....Holy Crap...just thought of something...could you imagine a Tippie/Claudio duo?!?! **mind blown**
  • 12 0
 I actually enjoy Cunny's commentary. He's usually quite helpful and insightful. Not that Claudio isn't great, just credit where it's due is all.
  • 2 0
 I think two of my favourite Claudio-isms from this year have been:
"The Frenchies will eat them for dinner"
and during the run up to Windham talking to Rob Warner about Claudio commentating;
Rob; "Are you looking forward to it?"
Claudio; "...No"
Rob; "Gooooood....."
  • 55 0
 "Wow, he stayed close, the first one!" Classic, classic Claudio, you did it again Swissman.
  • 11 0
 Haha, that was my first take away. All the other chasers in this series got smoked in like 50 feet. This dude hung on like a champ!
  • 3 0
 I'm sure the chase-guy had that in the back of his mind before they set off. He was probably like "don't pick me...PLEASE don't pick me" when they were choosing a chaser. Wink
  • 49 0
 I say claudio should do some rampage course previews
  • 34 0
 Claudios "not an orgasm" sounds are still better commentary than all of Crankworx
  • 31 0
 "The Frenchies will eat them." Hahaa. Claudio at his finest.
  • 27 0
 Indeed "Mama are we there yet... I'm scared"
  • 30 1
 Nothing can top Claudio this is so funny,this track looks awesome!
  • 21 2
 The only thing that would make this better is if Cedric Garcia was the guy on the bike behind him, and he was mic'ed up too...... That would be fucking legend!!!
  • 9 1
 ^^^ maybe have them linked by walkie-talkie so they can talk to each other as they go down, their craic would be wicked funny!!!
  • 4 0
 ^^ fund it! one of the best ideas ive heard all year!
  • 2 0
 I'll pay for strippers to stand along the course just to hear CG remarks.
  • 2 0
 I'm just glad they saved Rob Warner's life by giving the course-preview to Claudio. Poor Rob was a dead-man-rolling on some of those tracks. While it did provide entertainment-factor, it didn't provide as much insight to how the track looks at speed from the rider's perspective.
  • 2 0
 ^^^THIS!!^^^ (Cedric + Claudio previews, please!)
  • 25 0
 "sorry there's just weird noises and no words" haha this man Is awesome!
  • 16 0
 Course previews wouldn't be course previews without good old Claudio! Legend!
  • 16 0
 I find this just as exciting as watching all the fastest DH riders and its 20 times more funny!
  • 17 2
 Claudio for President of the Earth!
  • 4 0
 Thats a NWO l would gladly follow!!!
  • 15 0
 So finally UCI managed to give a great new track a chance...
  • 15 0
 "oh I made it haha cool"
  • 14 0
 I pity the poor person who has to hear Claudio's real orgasm noises!
  • 6 3
 Gross as it sounds I'd pay too hear it just too see what crazy sound comes out. (I wouldn't be paying to produce the orgasm btw)
  • 4 0
 ^^^dat disclaimer lōl
  • 1 0
 While the sounds were of total fear in the middle section, I think he may have had an orgasm in the final wide-open section. At least that's what I'd reckon it would sound like.
  • 13 0
 " that was not an orgasm, that was pure fear... "
  • 6 0
 Best line for sure haha, I laughed so hard
  • 1 1
 my thoughts exactly!!!
  • 14 2
 Well it looks like the uci have finally realised what downhill means ...
  • 23 0
 MSA and Fort William are also man sized DH tracks
  • 3 0
 Fort William is a crowd favourite, not necessarily a rider favourite. Don't know about MSA, but I think it's the same. Not that they're bad, just very man made
  • 3 0
 Just nice to see a track that hasn't got a f'kin berm on every single corner. This is downhill as it should be.
  • 12 0
 A follow rider actually kept up with Claudio and didn't crash!
  • 13 0
 Einstein was WRONG!
  • 12 2
 Actually Claudio was wrong. He should be getting heavier the nearer he gets to light speed...
  • 2 0
 Yeah but while coming down a hill at full speed you can easily say it the wrong way round. He should have just said that Einstein was wrong, because he is now traveling at light speed.
  • 10 0
 "Let's take the man's line!!! Wooooo hooooooo!! Made it !!! "
The whole thing is one long man's line!
  • 8 0
 I've not yet been lucky enough to ride anything like this track but my god, regardless of any race happening, this preview is one of the best POV go pro's I've ever seen. Just wall to wall DH fun!
  • 9 1
 maybe the best Claudio course preview all year. top 3 at least.
  • 3 0
 & possibly the best track, this looks awesome.
  • 7 0
 Claudio: So close, you are the first one

f*cking boss
  • 7 0
 Sam Hill track for sure
  • 1 1
 maybe so, i would love it to be true but i have a funny feeling that Loic Bruni gonna nail this one and he even not in my top 3 favorites
  • 3 0
 Fantastic commentary and riding as ever, must be one of the most sideways gopro runs ever! Thanks for another awesome season Claudio!
  • 1 0
 As ever, Claudio saying it like it is...... sick track ! Winner ? the one who stays on his/her bike... lots of chances to take chances, hoping Rat nails it, looking soooo pinned now, like its no effort, and the clock don't lie, deceivingly fast everywhere...
  • 9 5
 red bull please pull your shit together broadcasting this weekend.
  • 4 0
 been waiting for this all day
  • 4 0
 "Woah! ... I made it ... Cool."
  • 2 0
 Phucking phantastic! Claudio was as awesome as ever and the track looks like what a downhill track should look like. Cant wait for race day now!
  • 2 0
 The perfect season would be:

Meribel
Mont Sainte Anne
Val di Sole
Shladming
Andorra
Fort William
Champery.

Not for spectators, but how difficult or fun each track truly is.
  • 3 0
 I wish there was another cat for him to scream at!
  • 3 0
 ohhhh my God! thats how you end with a banger.
  • 3 1
 No pedal stroke and it looked pretty fast. Must be steep all the way down. Cant wait!
  • 3 0
 "That was not an orgasm, that was pure fear..!" - F-ing classic!
  • 1 0
 Sorry but whenever I head "we're doing it the French way" it makes me think about kissing.
Anyway Meribel is genious. Pity I've been there in winter only.
  • 1 0
 Wow it looks great, that's how a proper world cup downhill track should look like! Leave the pedaling to the XC guys/girls.

Hardly waiting to see the race! Smile
  • 3 0
 I always laugh my ass off to Claud's commentary
  • 1 0
 The commentary had me on the edge of my seat all the way down the course. By far one the best by Claudio to date. Two thumbs up!
  • 2 0
 No an orgasm, pure FEAR...the best course preview ever!!!!!!
  • 2 0
 He sounds like me, "oh wow i made it"!!!!
  • 2 0
 im glad he dose most of the previews now
  • 1 0
 Agreed. Warner was going to die if they kept throwing him out there.
  • 3 0
 This made my day.
  • 2 0
 Awww Claudio finally found a riding buddy that can stay with him Smile
  • 3 1
 Track of the season, so happy I'm gonna be there
  • 2 0
 The best Claudio course preview this year! Track looks amazing!
  • 2 0
 This track looks freaking good.
  • 1 0
 Could watch this stuff all day. Great commentary and looks like a cool course. A+
  • 1 0
 It's official. I cannot live in a world without course previews done by Claudio. Don't ever grow up and keep it pinned!!
  • 2 0
 "And even just walking down I crashed a couple of times", what a hero!
  • 1 0
 It used to be GoPro Course Preview, and right now it's Claudio's Course Preview.
  • 1 0
 HAHAHA his screams of joy are brilliant. Seems a great DH course and is great for the season-ender too
  • 1 0
 Claudio reviews are the best!

Was he the voice of Grover on Sesame street?
  • 1 0
 They were hiding this from me an running other previews. None can top Claudio! "The Frenchies will eat them" heheh
  • 1 0
 this is going to be funky!!
  • 1 0
 My bets with Gee, if he's healthy followed by gwin and ratboy
  • 1 0
 Has Claudio ever been timed doing one if these runs???
  • 1 0
 Not sure about these preview runs, but he is a former WC racer. He'd probably still qualify for most of the races these days, I'm sure.
  • 1 0
 There are, roughly, 15 to 20 riders that have got the skills to win it...
  • 2 0
 Love Claudio!
  • 1 0
 "AHh!....WHOO...Ay-Yei-YEi" --- Claudio.
  • 1 0
 these videos just make my day. Claudio, you freakin kill it man.
  • 1 0
 Man i love that motherf*kker
  • 2 0
 Best Day EVER!
  • 2 0
 that was awesome.
  • 2 0
 gnarly
  • 2 2
 This is the last race of the season? When's the World Championship race? (and where?).
  • 4 1
 First week in September at Hafjell if I'm not mistaken.
  • 1 1
 Hafjell, Norway in 2 or 3 weeks i think..
  • 1 1
 Yes, it is. World Champs will be held in Hafjell sometime in September
  • 2 1
 September 4th
  • 1 0
 7th
  • 1 0
 He sounds like Beavis and Butthead: "Ay ay ay"! Claudio for president!
  • 1 0
 According to the claudio's screams, that's one hell of track!
  • 1 0
 Im going light speed without getting lighter.
  • 1 0
 Claudio i wish I could ride as slow as you
  • 1 0
 any idea what speeds the riders will be doing on those open sections?
  • 1 0
 Hill, Neko, Brook, rat boy, I can dream can't I
  • 1 0
 So look fwd to these, makes my day every event. Claudio u da man dude!
  • 1 0
 I prefer the weird noises to the words!
  • 1 0
 Anybody else REALLY want to see a course check with Rob Warner?
  • 1 0
 hahaha something about running over frogs what a track!
  • 1 0
 ah ah first one to finally ended up with him!!
  • 1 0
 Look how slow I'm going making just a top 80 run!
  • 1 0
 Go gwin :-)
  • 1 0
 This trail looks AMAZING
  • 1 0
 wow
  • 1 0
 4.59 is mach stupid wee!
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